Mattis Speech Reheats Debate Over Kosovo Army

A speech by the new US Defence Secretary - arguing that Kosovo should be allowed to defend itself - has alarmed Serbia and enlivened the debate in Kosovo on whether it is time to form a regular army.

Kosovo Security Forces: Photo: Wikimedia Commons/ SUHEJLO.

The visit of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to Kosovo on Friday comes amidst a heated debate in Kosovo, as well as in neighbouring Serbia, about a possible shift in US foreign policy signalled by Defence Secretary James Mattis that would allow or even oblige Kosovo to establish its own armed forces.

It is unclear whether this issue will be part of the discussions between the NATO chief and Kosovo officials, and equally unclear whether, how and when this change would be achieved, experts say.

Mattis told the US Senate's Armed Services Committee on January 12 that the Kosovo Security Forces’ status should be upgraded.

“Before it is prudent to reduce the US military presence [in Kosovo], the Kosovo Security Forces must receive a mandate to conduct domestic security and territorial defence, a shift that will require constitutional change with parliamentary support,” Mattis said.

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